This blog is meant to display my coins/currency notes/stamps, in an informative manner, which would be useful to users in knowing about the history of the period when these coins/banknotes/stamps were minted/printed and events/persons they honour/depict, both on Indian and foreign coins/banknotes/stamps. The content would be more in the nature of a walk down memory lane through my collection/articles.

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Thursday, 26 January 2017

424) Splendour of India: Happy New Year: 12 Commemorative Stamps of Rs.25/- denomination brought out by India Post on 01.01.2017:

424)
Splendour of India: Happy New Year: 12 Commemorative Stamps of Rs.25/-
denomination brought out by India Post on 01.01.2017:

The Miniature sheet of 12 stamps titled "Happy New Year 2017" and depicting the "Splendour of India" shows 12 different images, individual detailed descriptions of which are given below in this post

The Front Cover of the Folder in which the Miniature Sheet of stamps is placed

These two First Day Covers
(FDCs) bear the 12 stamps titled “Splendour of India” and showing six each of
the 12 stamps issued by India Post on 01.01.2017 to celebrate the New Year.
Detailed description of each of these stamps is given below in the following
narration. The Cancellation hand-stamps are titled “Happy New Year” and
Splendour of India”. The Cancellation is of New Delhi GPO and is dated “01.01.2017.

On the left hand side is the logo of the Swacchh Bharat campaign.

The Cover of the folder in which the two First Day Covers (FDC) shown above are placed

The Information Brochure issued on the occasion

Happy
New Year:

Every year, the Department
of Posts (DOP), India greets everyone by bringing out different issues during
the New Year – either as a New Year Issue or Season’s Greetings.

This year, the DOP has
brought out India’s rich heritage through 12 beautiful stamps together in a
Mixed Sheetlet, which is designed to evoke a sense of pride in every Indian.

Each stamp design has been
chosen with a perspective to reflect the glory and magnificence of Indian
culture and heritage.

Ganesh
Pol, Amber Fort, Rajasthan: The first stamp depicts
the Ganesh Pol (Pol means “Gate” or “Entrance”) which is located in the main
palace of the Amber Fort. It is strategically important as entry through this
gate was exclusive to the Kings to get into their private chambers. Ganesh Pol
is a fusion of Mughal and Rajput architectural styles, famous for its
ornamental archways and fine lattice-work.

Pashmina:
The second stamp is on Pashmina, which is considered as a diamond among fibres.
Pashmina is Cashmere wool of the highest grade. This stamp depicts a hand spun
Pashmina shawl woven in Kashmir with exquisite embroidery.

Chhau Mask: The third
stamp depicts a traditional Chhau Mask.Chhau is a major classical Indian dance
form and is mainly performed during festivals in the “Chaitra Parva” in which the whole community participates. It is believed
that Chhau dance drives away evil forces and let the righteousness prevail
among the people. The effectiveness, originality and beauty of the chhau dance
are dependent on the chhau masks. Each mask represents a character from the
Indian mythological epics.

Worship
of the “Bodhi Tree”: The 4th stamp shows the
worship of the Bodhi Tree. It is a sandstone relief sculpture in the Sanchi Stupa Complex in the Indian State
of Madhya Pradesh. The “Bodhi Tree” or the “Tree of Enlightenment” is so called
because it represents the “Ficus Tree” (or the “Peepul Tree”) under which
Buddha attained enlightenment. The Bodhi Tree motif is used as a symbol of
Buddha himself. It is an elaborately carved sandstone relief sculpture in the
Sanchi Stupa Complex.

“Sarota” (or scissor like cutter, made of
metal): This instrument is traditionally used to cut the “Areca nut” (also known as “betel nut”) into
small pieces to be chewed along with other ingredients, wrapped in betel
leaves. “Sarota” is found in many shapes
and sizes and ornate designs in different parts of the country. It is a beautiful
“objet d’art”, reminiscent of a relaxed household of a by-gone era.

Peacock
Gate, City Palace, Jaipur (Rajasthan): The sixth stamp
has a Peacock gate on it. This is one of the four gates at the inner courtyard
which provides access to Chandra Mahal in City Palace, Jaipur. It is ornamented
with motifs of peacock and represents the autumn season. This gate is dedicated
to the Hindu God Vishnu.

Chaitya
Hall, Karla (Maharashtra): The seventh stamp
depicts the Chaitya Hall at the Karla Caves, near Lonavla, in the Indian State
of Maharashtra. The beautiful columns, dating back to the 1st
century BC are covered in carvings depicting life and the works of the Buddha. The
relief work gives them a three dimensional effect. I have visited the Karla Caves several times, both when I was Posted in Mumbai and then again after my voluntary retirement in 2007, from Pune.

Thanjavur
painting: The eighth stamp shows a thanjavur
painting. These are Panel paintings done on wooden planks. The dense
composition, surface richness and vibrant colours makes them incomparable. The
embellishments of semi-precious stones, pearly and glass pieces add to their
appeal. The relief work gives them a three dimensional effect.

Blue Pottery: The ninth
stamp depicts Blue Pottery which is widely recognised as traditional craft of
Jaipur. Blue Pottery has been named as such, due to the predominant use of blue
glaze painting technique. The decorative patterns are largely floral rendered in
Persian style.

Glass
Window at “Bagore-Ki-Haveli”,
Udaipur, Rajasthan: The tenth stamp shows a Glass Window
at Bagore-Ki-Haveli in Udaipur,
Rajasthan. The splendid architecture of the mansion has exquisite stained glass
work of the 18th Century.

“Peitra Dura”:
The eleventh stamp depicts a table top in Pietra dura on black marble. Peitra Dura is a decorative art form
with an inlay technique of using cut and fitted highly polished precious and
semi-precious coloured stones to create images.

“Zardozi” carpet: The twelfth stamp depicts a Zardozi carpet from Agra, in the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh.
Zardozi embroidery is a beautiful metal embroidery which involves the use of
gold and silver threads and also studded pearls and precious stones.

About Me

I am Rajeev Prasad, a retired State Bank of India officer who had been collecting coins in a shoe box without having a serious interest. Only after quitting my job I got the time to take serious interest in developing my coin collection into a hobby. A pity, because I would have had more opportunity to lay my hands on more 'exclusive coins' while in the Bank. Anyway, as they say,better late than never. If you have any views to share with me regarding this blog , please contact me on my email rajeevprasad1208@gmail.com. I also have a twitter account @prasad_rajeev.
I had an opportunity to participate in a Documentary on the life and times of the 25 paise coin titled “Chal Basi Chavanni” (The four anna/twenty five paise coin passes away), aired by STAR NEWS on 29th and 30th June 2011. The programme helped in making many persons hold back onto their “chavannis”, the little round beauties, instead of returning them to Banks .